Elena: Escaping Religious Persecution

Elena, 30, made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) from Kyrgyzstan with her five-year-old son, Daniel, around six months ago.

The political situation in Kyrgyzstan is very difficult and unstable in the wake of the country's military coup. This affects civilian life — especially for Jews, who feel persecuted. Elena's husband died a year ago, leaving her to raise their only son on her own. Though she is a pediatrician, the economic situation in Kyrgyzstan is poor so she received a very low salary.

To escape the religious persecution and tough economic climate in Kyrgyzstan, Elena and her son made aliyah with help from the Jewish Agency, which The Fellowship funds through our On Wings of Eagles program. Since moving to Israel, Elena has been learning Hebrew and is about to take the exams to get her medical license. Daniel attends kindergarten, where he's also learning Hebrew and appears to be finding his place.

"In Kyrgyzstan, I struggled to get by," Elena says. "Here in Israel, I hope I will be able to work in medicine and make a decent living for my son and me. It is tough for us right now, learning the language and becoming acclimated. But I am optimistic and I believe that this was ultimately the right decision for me and my son."

Israel's future depends on people like Elena, trained professionals who will be able to use their skills in service of others. You can help secure that future through a gift to On Wings of Eagles.